Nerve blocks are a common method to treat low back pain, particularly chronic low back pain.  Can photobiomodulation therapy have results equal to RF or lidocaine nerve blocks? In this summary of a 2016 study on lidocaine injections vs radio frequency nerve blocks vs laser nerve blocks, results showed that laser nerve blocks had better long-term results.Study mentioned in this episode:Photobiomodulation of the dorsal root ganglion for treatment of low back pain: a pilot studyVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Healing at the Speed of Light

Low Back Pain and Nerve Blocks

Oral Lichen Planus is a painful inflammatory condition that affects the mucous membranes of the mouth resulting in white or red patchy spots that can be swollen and painful. Oral lichen planus is typically treated with topical corticosteroids, but the medication comes with a few side-effects including secondary fungal or yeast infection, excessive dryness, and possible scarring. This study showed that laser therapy is just as effective as corticosteroids in reducing pain and eliminating the lesions without the side-effects.Study mentioned in this episode:Photobiomodulation therapy vs. corticosteroid for the management of erosive/ulcerative and painful oral lich planus. Assessment of success rates during one-years follow-up: a retrospective study. Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Oral Lichen Planus

32% of acute back pain cases go on to develop long-lasting pain. Using the wrong treatment for acute low back pain can increase the risk of developing chronic low back pain. What can be done to reduce that transfer rate from acute to chronic low back pain? Are there other risk factors contributing to the development of chronic low back pain? A brand new study gives us answers to these questions. Study mentioned in this episode: Risk factors associated with transition from acute to chronic low back pain in United States patients seeking primary care. Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Strategies to Make Sure Your Low-Back Pain Goes Away

Can laser therapy help tendon injuries? In a study done in September of 2020, researchers tested the effect of high intensity laser therapy with exercise vs exercise alone on tendon tears in 12 horses, using a standardized lesion model. Listen along to hear the results of the study and what the possibilities are for tendon and ligament tears in humans, such as Achilles tendon tears. Study mentioned in this episode:High-power Laser Therapy Improves Healing of the Equine Suspensory Branch in a Standardized Lesion ModelVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Achilles Injury

About 50% of the veteran community suffers from chronic pain which puts them at higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse, opioid addiction and overdose, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts. Can laser therapy and other conservative care options lower these? In a massive 2019 study of hundreds of thousands of veterans, when non-drug therapies, including laser therapy, were used to manage chronic pain for veterans and army service members, patients were found to be at much lower risk of new addiction and suicide issues, thus improving their quality of life. Study mentioned in this episode:Nonpharmacological Treatment of Army Service Members with Chronic Pain Associated with Fewer Adverse Outcomes After Transition to the Veterans Health Administration.Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast 

Drugs vs. Conservative Care

Dr. Rountree explains a new study from August 2021 in which they tested the effectiveness of laser therapy with wound dressing vs only wound dressing for chronic wound healing. Chronic wounds include: chronic ulcers, post-operative infections, diabetic foot ulcers, bed sores, severe burns, venous leg ulcers, and traumatic wounds. Is it possible that laser therapy can help expedite the healing process of chronic wounds? Study mentioned in this episode:Clinical effects of high-intensity laser therapy on patients with chronic refractory wounds: a randomized controlled trialVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Chronic Wound Healing

Dr. Rountree breaks down a 2012 study on the effects full-body light therapy on sleep, production of melatonin, and performance for athletes. He also goes over the potential full-body light therapy has, and the pros and cons of the study that was conducted.  Study mentioned in this episode:Red light and the Sleep Quality and Endurance Performance of Chinese Female Basketball Players.Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Full-Body Light Therapy

How can laser therapy improve the quality of life for cerebral palsy patients? Dr. Rountree summarizes a new study on cerebral palsy patients with jaw muscle spasticity problems. Non-invasive laser may have a positive effect toward improving their quality of life by improving muscle force levels and mouth opening ability. Study mentioned in this episode:·       Evaluation of Low-Level Laser in the Treatment of Masticatory Muscle Spasticity in Children with Cerebral PalsyVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Cerebral Palsy

Near infrared LEDs and lasers used on the head have been shown to have positive effects in dementia patients by decreasing inflammation in the brain and promoting synaptogenesis and neurogenesis: creation of new synapses and neurons in the brain. Light therapy, or photobiomodulation, also improved quality of life for dementia patients by promoting longer, peaceful sleep, improved memory recall and improved visual motor coordination.  Study mentioned in this episode:Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with DementiaVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Dementia

A new study concludes that photobiomodulation therapy, properly done, does NOT work for chronic, non-specific low back pain. Dr. Rountree brings you highlights from this well-designed trial to show that the researchers did not apply proper dosing as claimed. Could the research conclusion be misleading? Study mentioned in this episode:Photobiomodulation therapy does not decrease pain and disability in people with non-specific low back pain: a systematic review.Photobiomodulation therapy is not better than placebo in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Does Laser Therapy Help Low Back Pain?

Major Depressive Disorder is typically treated by anti-depressants and with psychotherapy, but there are challenges with these treatments including relapse and side-effects. The study reviewed in this podcast looks at trans-cranial laser therapy, from childhood through elderliness, by simulating how dosage and wavelengths affect trans-cranial photobiomodulation, for treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as MDD, addiction, anxiety, and more. Study mentioned in this episode:Transcranial photobiomodulation with near-infrared light from childhood to elderliness: simulation of dosimetry. Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Laser therapy affects tissue repair on a cellular level through photo-chemical effects. Dr. Rountree explains what that means as well as how that cellular repair affects patient healing and pain relief. He also describes how different medical fields can make use of light therapy’s cellular repair capabilities to better patient care, from dentistry to traumatology.Mentioned in this episode:Photobiomodulation in Cells’ RepairLaser Therapy Fuels the Powerhouse of Your Cells Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Cellular Repair with Light

Rotator cuff tears are more common as we age and are very common in stroke patients also. While surgery may be performed on a full tear of a rotator muscle or tendon, partial tears tend to be treated conservatively. This episode explores a recent study of the effects of exercise therapy vs. laser therapy combined with exercise therapy. Is non-surgical recovery possible?Study mentioned in this episode:The effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of post-stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain: a prospective randomized controlled study Visit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Rotator Cuff Repairs with Laser Therapy?

Is it best to jump straight into surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome? Are there risks? What about conservative care option like TENS and laser therapy?Studies mentioned in this episode: Pain and electrophysiological parameters are improved by combined 830-1064 high-intensity LASER in symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Biomechanical alteration in the carpal arch and hand muscles after carpal tunnel release: a further approach toward understanding the function of the flexor retinaculum and the cause of postoperative grip weakness The relationship of trigger finger and flexor tendon volar migration after carpal tunnel release  Related PodcastCarpal Tunnel SyndromeVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Carpal Tunnel Surgery: A Simple Solution?

In today's podcast, Dr. Rountree explains what chronic joint pain is and why it is becoming more prevalent. He also discusses the research regarding the effects of laser therapy on chronic joint pain, and why insurances and some healthcare providers are still reluctant to accept laser therapy as a viable treatment option.Study mentioned in this episode:A Systematic Review of Low-Level Laser Therapy with Location-Specific Doses for Pain from Chronic Joint DisordersVisit the LTI website for more information and to find a laser therapy provider near you.Are you a healthcare provider?Laser Therapy Institute Podcast

Chronic Joint Pain

Each week we discuss how laser therapy is changing healthcare and how you can benefit.

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Healing at the Speed of Light

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